Battery powered solenoid actuated liquid tap dispenser having optional manual actuation

Abstract

A battery powered solenoid actuated liquid tap dispenser has a solenoid coil, an armature extending through the coil, a valve seal coupled to the armature, a spout engaged by the valve seal, an electrical actuation button adjacent to the spout, and a manual actuation button atop the armature. The electrical actuation button is arranged to be engaged by the lip of a cup placed under the spout and cause the armature to move in the coil thereby moving the valve seal away from the spout. Alternatively, the armature may be moved by the manual actuation button.

1. A battery powered liquid tap dispenser, comprising:
 a spout; 
 a solenoid coil; 
 an armature extending through said coil, said armature having first and second ends; 
 a valve seal coupled to said second end of said armature; 
 a manually operable pushbutton coupled to said first end of said armature and being manually operable to open said valve seal without energizing said solenoid coil; 
 a substantially vertical cylinder having a first end and a second end, said second end forming said spout, 
 said valve seal movable against and away from said spout, 
 said pushbutton extending out of said first end of said cylinder; and 
 a substantially horizontal cylinder in fluid communication with said substantially vertical cylinder, said substantially horizontal cylinder adapted to be coupled to a standard size liquid jug. 
 
   
   
     2. The dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a battery compartment located between said substantially horizontal cylinder and said substantially horizontal cylinder. 
 
   
   
     3. The dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said substantially vertical cylinder has an interior annular wall, and 
 said coil is seated on said annular wall with said armature extending into the cylindrical space defined by said annular wall. 
 
   
   
     4. The dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 said valve seal has a valve stem and said valve stem is coupled to said armature. 
 
   
   
     5. The dispenser according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said valve stem is provided with a dynamic seal. 
 
   
   
     6. The dispenser according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electrical switch; and 
 a power supply, said electrical switch being coupled between said power supply and said solenoid coil such that actuation of said switch applies current to said coil and causes said armature to open said valve seal. 
 
   
   
     7. The dispenser according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said electrical switch is located relative to said spout such that it is actuated by an upward movement of the lip of a cup under said spout.